Virginia Spaceport Authority Education

Per Commonwealth Statute, one of our reasons for being is to provide education and research in aerospace technologies and processes. At the Virginia Spaceport Authority, we’re focused on providing learning experiences for students and professionals across Virginia. From school visits and spaceport tours, to workforce development and internships- we offer a variety of STEM opportunities at VSA for anyone looking to learn more about the work we do.

Announcing the VSA CEO for a Day Contest

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to run a spaceport? Do you think you might have what it takes? If so, you are a perfect candidate for the CEO for a Day contest! This contest is open to high school students that are curious about a career in STEM. To enter, tell us in 500 words or less why you are passionate about space by April 1, 2024. Now is your chance to let your passion shine through!

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Please include your name, age, school and contact information on the cover page of your submission. Applications are to be sent to shadowdays@vaspace.org. We look forward to reading them!

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Please see below for additional details:

- Open to 9-12 graders

- Students under 18 must have signed permission from a parent or legal guardian

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Virginia Spaceport Authority Shadow Day

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Are you a high school student curious about a career in the STEM field? Please join us for a shadow day at the Virginia Spaceport Authority! We are happy to host you for a day in either the World Trade Center in Norfolk, VA or at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Wallops Island, VA. You will begin your shadow day by joining our company-wide morning meeting at 7:30 and then you will shadow an employee for the work day which ends at 4:00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn about a STEM profession from an expert and ask them all the questions your heart desires in this exceptionally unique experience. Experts in many different departments are open to being shadowed, including but not limited to:

Marketing
Engineering
Business
Electrical Technicians
Logistics
Executive Level Management
Launch Pad/Facilities Management
Drone Airfield Operations

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the application below. If you have Adobe Reader you will be able to type directly onto the form after downloading. The bottom of this form MUST be signed by either your counselor or Work Based Learning Representative. We look forward to hosting you for a day at VSA! Submit all filled forms to shadowdays@vaspace.org.

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"We deal with such a wide variety of electrical and electronic systems that shadow days provide a great insight into all the specializations available in our field. Being local and coming straight from the community college and now having the opportunity to take engineering classes through the tuition reimbursement really emphasizes the different ways a career path can be obtained which is important for younger people to see!" - Tanner Doughty, Electrical Technician II

Shadow Day Form

Meet our Education Staff

Sidnee Mcgee

Chief of Education and Intern Development

Kelli Considine

Education and Talent Specialist

Our Partners in STEM and Education

Part of making aerospace accessible through education is creating quality institutional partnerships. Our education team is proud to be a part of numerous partnerships across the Commonwealth of Virginia with many prospective partnerships and programs on the horizon!

Operation Smile

We are proud to work with Operation Smile to get more youth across the Commonwealth to MARS throughout the school year and summer months.

Virginia Tech

VSA has partnered with Virginia Tech to offer a unique Senior Design project that students will work to solve throughout the school year.

University of Virginia

VSA provides mentorship to the UVA rocketry team.

Virginia Commonwealth University

VSA provides mentorship to the VCU rocketry team.

ForKids

We offer special programs to bring spaceport adventures to youth in the ForKids after-school program.

The Slover Library

Virginia Space Flight Academy

Old Dominion University

Eastern Shore Community College

William & Mary

Norfolk State University

Request a Visit from VSA

Not able to make it out to our facilities? No worries! Fill out one of the following forms to request a classroom visit from our Education department. We're ready and excited to teach your classroom about all that we do at the Virginia Spaceport Authority!

Visit Request Form

Internship Program Summary

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We are currently seeking qualified rising Seniors, and rising Juniors to join us in the business of launching rockets! You will have the unique opportunity to participate in an internship, at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) in Wallops Island, Virginia or in the World Trade Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Those selected for the program will gain valuable exposure to the day-to-day operations of a premier aerospace company. We are recruiting interns for a variety of positions including engineering, security, technology, accounting and finance and corporate buying. You will work with a highly experienced team, including thirty-year plus veterans of the Space Shuttle program and other industry leaders.

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If selected for the internship, you will be assigned duties that are applicable to your degree and career goals. We are currently recruiting for interns interested in gaining experience in the following areas:

Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Logistics
Marketing
Electrical Systems (Power Distribution and Systems Engineering)
Hydraulic Systems
Communications and Video
Business Administration
Security
Environmental Control System (ECS)
Structures and Grounds
Safety and Quality Control
Pneumatic System Design and Fabrication
Change Management

Summer 2024 Internship

Now accepting internship applications!

All applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and any letters of recommendation you would like to include. Applicants must also be U.S. Citizens. Please include the following on your résumé:

Indicate your residency
Identify your degree program
Current GPA, relevant course work, and relevant experience
Indicate if you currently possess a Federal Security Clearance - Background checks will be verified

Wallops Island, VA

External Relations Intern

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This position will be responsible for providing support to the VSA External Relations Department. Responsibilities include writing and editing internal and external communications, social media announcements, and developing innovative digital media strategies to boost public awareness campaigns.

IT Intern

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The IT Intern will provide support for operations of the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (Virginia Spaceport Authority). The IT Intern, working with Virginia Spaceport IT staff will provide assistance staff with access, tools and information needed to support operational processes and associated decision-making utilizing the systems...

Safety and Quality Intern

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This position is located within the Safety and Quality Department of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. The position supports safety and quality programs within a technical and operations environment related to Spaceport activities including rocket launch and unmanned aircraft systems, including support functions such as operations, engineering..

HVAC Maintenance

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Maintenance HVAC worker performs routine and extensive preventative maintenance and repair procedures on HVAC systems in buildings, on launch pads, mechanical equipment, and utility systems.

Norfolk, VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the internship paid or unpaid?

Paid!

Our internships are paid, and we compensate based on experience and education.

Is housing provided?

Yes!

We do have limited housing opportunities for interns working in Wallops Island, Virginia.

What are the chances this internship will lead to a full time job?

Very high!

We love to hire interns after their internship is completed! Roughly 20% of our current workforce participated in our internship program.

What kind of responsibilities will I have?

It depends on what kind of internship you complete!

Regardless of what department you are in, you will not be given "busy work". Our internship experience is designed to be a fully immersive, hands on experience. If you work in our Norfolk office, you will have the opportunity to travel to the spaceport in Wallops Island once per week to tour our facilities. All interns will see at least one launch during their time with us!

Do I need a 4 year degree to work at Virginia Spaceport Authority

No!

We have many employees who do not have a traditional 4 year degree.

Where is MARS?

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport is located in Wallops Island, Virginia.

Does Virginia Spaceport Authority build rockets?

We don't build rockets, we launch them!

The Virginia Spaceport Authority manages several launchpads and oversee the launches of the Antares rockets that carry payloads to refuel the International Space Station, and several other launches throughout the year.

Is this a NASA internship?

No!

This internship is with the Virginia Spaceport Authority. We are a subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, not owned by NASA.

Launch with the Virginia Spaceport Authority

We're ready and equipped to handle a variety of launch services to ensure mission success for you and your team.